Set it up
- Pick two targets at the range, such as a flag and a sign, that frame a "fairway" roughly 30 to 40 yards wide at driver distance.
- Count out 14 balls: one for each par 4 and par 5 tee shot in a typical round.
- Have a pen or your phone to note each result: fairway, left or right.
Play the round
Hit each ball as a separate tee shot. Go through your full pre-shot routine every time: stand behind the ball, pick a target, take your practice swing, then hit. Between balls, step away and reset. If your course has a tight hole where you'd normally hit a fairway wood or hybrid, play that club for that ball. It's a decision, not a failure.
Score it
| Result | Score |
|---|---|
| In the corridor | Fairway hit |
| Just outside but playable | Note it as "light rough" |
| Well outside either target | Note it as a miss left or right |
Count your fairways out of 14 and write down whether misses were mostly left or right. Over a few sessions you'll learn your typical miss, which is the most useful thing a golfer can know on the tee.
Use your miss on the course
If most misses go right, aim down the left side of the fairway so your normal shape finishes in play. That's course management, and it's free. Pair this with the ideas in Get Better: course management.
Make it a game with friends
Two or more players alternate shots and keep score. Fairway = 2 points, light rough = 1, miss = 0. Loser picks up the next bucket. Simple, and much more like the pressure of a first tee than hitting balls on autopilot.
Questions people actually ask
Should I always hit driver in this drill?
No. Use the club you'd actually hit on each hole of your home course.
How wide should the corridor be?
Something like a real fairway: often 30 to 40 yards. Narrow it as you improve.
Why go through a full routine every ball?
Because that's what you do on the course. The routine is part of the skill.
General practice ideas for recreational golfers, not personal coaching. If something hurts, stop and see a qualified professional.